Vertical Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch (DS)

Duodenal Surgery Guide to: How it works, what to expect, costs, diet, and finding a surgeon.

Duodenal Switch, or Vertical Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch, is a very common weight loss surgery, having nearly 20,000 surgical procedures done every year in the United States. Duodenal Switch combines two primary bariatric surgeries (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and Duodenal Switch) and to give patients the best, most powerful chance at weight loss.

Duodenal Swtich is effective for people with high body mass indexes greater than 55, but can work for patients with lower BMIs (See our candidate guide). It accomplishes this by reducing the size of the stomach and reducing the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs.

How Duodenal Switch Works

Long vertical pouch (about 4-5 oz or 120-150cc). The duodenum (first portion of the small intestine) is attached to the last 6 feet of small intestine, where food and digestive juices are rejoined after 12 feet. Moderate restriction of volume of food that can eaten. Provides moderate malabsorption of fat, which can cause diarrhea and bloating.

What to Expect after Duodenal Switch Surgery

Patients can expect to lose 75% - 80% of excess weight. Some patients can lose too much weight. More risk of nutritional deviancies than with the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery.

Duodenal Switch Diet

Patients must eat 3 meals a day. Patients must strictly adhere to protein and vitamin supplements to avoid deficiencies. (Multivitamins, ADEK vitamins, Calcium and Iron for menstruating women)

The Duodenal Switch is effective for patients with a BMI of > 50 kg/m2. Those with BMI of <45 kg/m2 may lose too much weight. The DS has a higher incidence of complications than other procedures.

Duodenal Switch Costs

Because Duodenal Switch is a complex surgery, costs hoover around $20,000 in the United States. But another alternative for patients is having the Duodenal Switch operation done in Mexico. With average lower costs and competent weight loss surgeons - it is easy to see why a lot of patients are traveling abroad for surgery.

Duodenal Switch Possible Side Effects